Apostasy

Also called: Backsliding, Falling Away

Denial of faith by those who once held it or professed to hold it.

Top Bible Verses about Apostasy

Exodus 32:1–6

And the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, and the people gathered opposite Aaron, and they said to him, “Come, make for us gods who will go before us, because this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” And Aaron said to them, “Take off the rings of gold that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring it to me.” And all the people took off the rings of gold that were on their ears … Read Exodus 32:1–6

Judges 2:11–15

The Israelites did evil in the eyes of Yahweh, and they served the Baals. They abandoned Yahweh the God of their ancestors, who brought them out from the land of Egypt. They followed other gods from the gods of the people who were around them; and they bowed down to them, and they provoked the anger of Yahweh. They abandoned Yahweh, and they served Baal and the Ashtaroth. So the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel, and he gave them into the hand of plunderers; and they plundered them, and … Read Judges 2:11–15

Isaiah 1:2–6

Hear, heavens, and listen, earth, for Yahweh has spoken: “I reared children and I brought them up, but they rebelled against me. An ox knows its owner and a donkey the manger of its master. Israel does not know; my people do not understand. Ah, sinful nation, a people heavy with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly. They have forsaken Yahweh; they have despised the holy one of Israel. They are estranged and gone backward. Why do you want to be beaten again? You continue … Read Isaiah 1:2–6

Matthew 13:20–21

And what was sown on the rocky ground—this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. But he does not have a root in himself, but lasts only a little while, and when affliction or persecution happens because of the word, immediately he falls away. Read Matthew 13:20–21

2 Timothy 4:3–4

For there will be a time when they will not put up with sound teaching, but in accordance with their own desires, they will accumulate for themselves teachers, because they have an insatiable curiosity, and they will turn away from the hearing of the truth, but will turn to myths. Read 2 Timothy 4:3–4

Hebrews 6:4–8

For it is impossible concerning those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and become sharers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the coming age, and having fallen away, to renew them again to repentance, because they have crucified again for themselves the Son of God and held him up to contempt. For ground that drinks the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth vegetation usable to those people for whose sake it is … Read Hebrews 6:4–8

Famous Christian Quotes About Apostasy, Backsliding, Falling Away

Trying to Bring Others Back into the Spiritual Life

I will not judge a person to be spiritually dead whom I have judged formerly to have had spiritual life, though I see him at present in a swoon as to all evidences of the spiritual life. And the reason why I will not judge so is this: because if you judge a person dead, you neglect him, you leave him. But if you judge him in a swoon, though never so dangerous, you use all means for the retrieving of his life. So ought we to do to one another and our own souls.

John Owen

Cut Yourself Off from the Heretic

If a friend of yours is tempted by lust, give him a helping hand if you can and pull him back. But if he falls into heresy, and persists in spite of your efforts, go away quickly, cut off his friendship. For if you dally with him, you might be dragged with him into the deeps.

Theodore of Pherme

Falling from the Greatest Height

None sink so far into hell as those that come nearest heaven, because they fall from the greatest height.… None will have such a sad parting from Christ as those who went halfway with him, and then left him.